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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: GrannieAnnie on October 25, 2008, 23:34:45

Title: How long do parsnips have to freeze to taste sweet?
Post by: GrannieAnnie on October 25, 2008, 23:34:45
I've been a good girl and not pulled any snips up yet though very tempted.
We've had a couple nights of very light frost. How long should I keep my greedy little mits off them?
Title: Re: How long do parsnips have to freeze to taste sweet?
Post by: PurpleHeather on October 26, 2008, 06:46:14
I think this is something of an old wives tale to stop people from pulling them whilst there are other crops which wont survive the frost to eat.

You know the feeling, I am fed up with courgettes let's pull a few parsnips instead!

I think they are sweeter and more tender when small.
Title: Re: How long do parsnips have to freeze to taste sweet?
Post by: OllieC on October 26, 2008, 08:55:22
It's when the tops die off - and the plants have pulled the nutrients from their leaves into the roots. Apparently.
Title: Re: How long do parsnips have to freeze to taste sweet?
Post by: Froglegs on October 26, 2008, 09:17:01
Ya mean waiting till ya need a pickaxe to get them out the ground is an old wives tale. :o   ;)
Title: Re: How long do parsnips have to freeze to taste sweet?
Post by: sawfish on October 26, 2008, 10:40:30
isn't there some scientific reason, the sugar turning to something or other due to the cold.
Title: Re: How long do parsnips have to freeze to taste sweet?
Post by: manicscousers on October 26, 2008, 13:14:00
we've been eating ours since they were big enough to eat  ;D
Title: Re: How long do parsnips have to freeze to taste sweet?
Post by: keef on October 26, 2008, 13:20:35
Bung em in the bottom of the fridge for 3 or 4 days before using them - it sweetens them up a bit.
Title: Re: How long do parsnips have to freeze to taste sweet?
Post by: cornykev on October 26, 2008, 14:07:29
Nips taste sweeter when thay have had a good frost because it turns the starch to sugar, no wives tale,  ??? I've picked some and chopped up and put in the freezer, don'y know if this helps but that's what I do.  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: How long do parsnips have to freeze to taste sweet?
Post by: Hyacinth on October 26, 2008, 15:26:41
Quote from: cornykev on October 26, 2008, 14:07:29
Nips taste sweeter when thay have had a good frost because it turns the starch to sugar, no wives tale,  ???

Pretty well what I've always believed too and without googling the science of it, I'll keep with that belief. Same with brussels sprouts as well?

Title: Re: How long do parsnips have to freeze to taste sweet?
Post by: star on October 26, 2008, 21:11:37
It certainly works with both nips and sprouts..........a touch of frost that is. Makes them much more flavoursome ;D